Device for flattening and ironing the seam zone between two layers of fabric

ABSTRACT

A device for flattening and ironing a seam zone between two layers of fabric comprises guides for moving the two layers of fabric into coplanar relationship and for moving edge portions of the layers beyond the seam into coplanar relationship. Moisture, for example in the form of steam, is supplied to the seam zone, and the fabric is ironed in the above configuration by, for example, a heated roller.

0 United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,881,264

Grazzini May 6, 1975 [54] DEVICE FOR FLATTENING AND IRONING 1,976,04310/ 1934 Smith 38/2 THE SEAM ZONE BETWEEN TWO LAYERS 3,246,616 4/1966Kon'oth 112/217 X 3,310,895 3/1967 Weingarten... 38/16 OF FABRIC3,366,292 1/1968 Thompson 223/73 [75] Inventor: AffortunatoGrazzini,Arezzo, Italy 3,478,451 11/1969 Sigodu... 112/217 X 3,587,4966/1971 Timby 112/217 73 Assignee; Cassina & FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS Filed Oct 17 1973 24,486 l/1963 Germany 38/1 B [21] Appl.No.2 407,039 Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, orFirmToren, McGeady and [30] Foreign Application Priority Data StangerNov. 2, 1972 Italy 9733/72 ABSTRACT 52 US. Cl 38/1 B A devine forflattening and ironing a seam Zone [51] Int. Cl. .1 D06f 69/00 tween twolayers of fabric comprises guides for [58] Field of Search 112/217; 38/1B, 2, 11, ing the two layers of fabric into coplanar relationship 3 1517 135 7 10; 223 73 and for moving edge portions of the layers beyondthe seam into coplanar relationship. Moisture, for exam- 5 ReferencesCited ple in the form of steam, is supplied to the seam zone, UNITEDSTATES PATENTS and the fabric is ironed in the above configuration by,

for example, a heated roller. 1,533,685 4/1925 Bailer et al. 38/21,683,412 9/1928 Rosenbaum et a1. 112/217 X 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figuresi 0 e 1 f I V/ PAYENTEBHAY sums SHEET 1 BF 3 DEVICE FOR FLATTENING ANDIRONING THE SEAM ZONE BETWEEN TWO LAYERS OF FABRIC FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a device for flattening andironing the seam zone between two layers of fabric which have been sewntogether on a sewing machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there isprovided a device for flattening and ironing a seam zone between firstand second layers of fabric, each said fabric layer comprising a mainportion at one side of a stitched seam and an edge portion at the otherside of the seam, said device comprising profiled means for divergingthe main portions of the first and second layers and for moving the mainportions into coplanar relationship, and for diverging the edge portionsof the first and second layers and for moving the edge portions intocoplanar relationship, means operative to supply moisture to the seamzone and means for ironing and heating the seam zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention willnow be de scribed, by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a device in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are sections taken on the lines Il-ll,IlI--III, IV-IV, V-V, VIVI and VII- -Vll, respectively, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a portion of FIG. 7 to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 9 is a section taken on line IXIX of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of means for diverging portions of thefabric.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings, a basestructure 1 of the assembly of the present invention forms a surfacealong which two superposed layers of fabric T1 and T2 are advancedstepwise in the direction of the arrow f1. The assembly may be providedwith means including a needle 3 for sewing together the layers of fabricT1 and T2; the needle 3 lies within the sewing Zone of the machine.

Downstream in the path of movement of the fabric layers T1 and T2, thereis provided a suction box 5 of flattened parallel-epipedic form. The box5 is raised from the base structure 1 in order to define a gap 7 for thelower layer Tl (see FIGS. 3 and 6); the box 5 is supported on two sideson portions 1A and 1B of the base structure 1 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6), theportion 18 being in the form of a bracket to allow the passage of thelower fabric piece T1, while the portion 1A is spaced from the sewingzone and thus from the seam by a distance corresponding to the maximumwidth of fabric that is likely to be used. The front wall 5A of the box5 is directed towards the seam line and at least a part of the frontwall 5A is formed by a grid 53. At the end wall of the box 5 which facesupstream of the direction of travel of the fabric layers, there isprovided part of a first guide means which includes a plate 9, the plate9 being perpendicular to the end wall. The plate 9 is positionedgenerally midway between the upper and lower walls of the box 5 and hasa longitudinal edge aligned with the front wall 5A. Divergent plates 9Aextend between the upper and lower surfaces of the plate 9, and theupper and lower edges of the end wall of the box 5. The plate 9 isspaced from the base structure 1 by a gap 7A which communicates with thegap 7 to permit passage of the lower fabric layer T1, while the upperfabric layer T2 passes above the plate 9 and above the box 5; the twofabric layers are caused to diverge by the plates 9A (see FIG. 3). Thus,it will be seen that the device of the invention includes first guidemeans which comprise the plate 9 and the plates 9a for guiding thefabric layers T1, T2, which may be considered main portions of thefabric.

In front of the plate 9 and spaced by a limited distance therefrom,there is located a second guide means or plate 12 coplanar with theplate 9 and raised from the base structure 1 to form a gap 14 (FIG. 2)between the plate 12 and the base structure 1. An edge portion TLl ofthe lower fabric layer T1 is accommodated in the gap 14, and an edgeportion TL2 of the upper fabric layer T2 is located above the plate 12;the edge portions TLl and TL2 are those portions of the fabric layerswhich lie on the opposite side of the seam C to the main body of fabric.The plate 12 is combined with an upper longitudinal wall 16 and, beyondthe sewing zone, also with a corresponding lower longitudinal wall 18.The walls 16 and 18 are formed, at a position slightly beyond theleading edge of the plates 9A, with two end portions 16A, 18A (see FIGS.1, 4 and 10) which are curved gradually towards the line of the seam.The end portions 16A and 18A thus reduce the width of that portion ofplate 12 which projects from the walls l6, 18 towards the plate 9 andthe box 5, the width being zero adjacent the front wall 5A formed by thegrid 58. The edge portions TLl and TL2, which initially lie on oppositesides of the plate 12, are caused to diverge by the end portions 16A and18A of the walls 16 and 18 and move towards the portions of the fabriclayers T1 and T2 on the opposite side of the seam C; these portions ofthe fabric layers T1 and T2 are caused to diverge by the effect of theplates 9A.

In this manner, the fabric layers T1 and T2, sewn by the needle 3 andadvanced according to the arrow fl, are diverged adjacent the seam C toobtain a substantial coplanarity of those portions of the fabric layersT1 and T2 adjacent the seam C, and to cause the edge portions TLl andTL2 to lie against these coplanar portions as shown in FIG. 8. Thisconfiguration of the edge portions is stabilized by an ironing process.

In order to stabilize the fabric in the aforesaid configuration,moisture, for instance in the form of steam, is introduced by means of atube 20 which discharges the steam adjacent the trailing edge of the endportions 16A and 18A of the walls 16 and 18. Moistening of the fabric iseffected in front of the front wall 5A. Two heated rollers 22 and 24 arearranged to press the fabric against the grid 5B. The jet of steam isdirected between the roller 22 and the front wall 5A. The rollers 22 and24 are urged in the direction of arrows f2 towards the front wall 5A. Inthis way, the fabric is ironed.

The rollers 22 and 24 are angularly advanced in steps synchronized withthe advance of the fabric layers T1 and T2, the linear length of theadvance of the rollers 22 and 24 at their peripheries being equal to thelength of advance of the fabric layers T1 and T2. A vacuum is created inthe interior of the box 5, for example by withdrawing air through afitting 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). The fabric which is moistened, and isheated and pressed by the rollers 22 and 24, releases moisture and thismoisture is withdrawn by the box 5. In this manner the fabric is driedin the desired configuration and is thus stabilized. The two fabriclayers with the flattened, stabilized, seam setting are discharged fromthe slot 7 as shown in FIG. 6.

In order to support and heat the rollers 22 and 24, the rollers arecarried by movable support means including a relatively large diametershaft, a shaft 28 for the roller 22 being shown in FIG. 7. The shaft 28is journalled in an elongate bush 30 which is supported by a cup member32 mounted on stirrups 34. The stirrups 34 (and those for the roller 24)are supported by a plate 36 through suitable connecting pins 38. Theplate 36 has two arms 36A which extend parallel to the direction of thearrows f2. The shafts of the rollers 22 and 24 can be driven by drivemeans combined with means for advancing the fabric layers. The arms 36Aare provided with longitudinal channels (see FIGS. 7 and 9) whichco-operate with corresponding channels on a supporting structure 40,roller means in the form of ball bear ings 42 being located in theco-operating channels. In this manner, the plate 36 and thus the entirerollersupporting assembly carried thereby is slidably guided in thedirection of the arrows f2. The plate 36 is reciprocable by means of afluid actuated cylinder 44, which thus effects movement of the rollers22 and 24 towards and away from the front wall 5A of the box 5, anddetermines the ironing pressure of the rollers against the front wall5A.

The rollers 22 and 24 are heated through their bearing systems. Moreparticularly, as shown in FIG. 7 with reference to the roller 22, thereis wound around the cup member 32 a resistance heating element 46 whichheats the shaft 28. A probe accommodated in a head 48 contacting therollers 22 senses the roller temperature and acts via suitable controlmeans to maintain the temperature substantially constant at the desiredvalue. Transmission of heat generated by the element 46 towards thestructure is reduced by the presence of the stirrups 34, the pins 38,the balls 42, and the shape of the plate 36.

It is possible to omit one of the rollers 22, 24, although two rollersare preferred.

I claim:

1. A seam flattener apparatus for directing a pair of fabric layers pastan ironing station and for ironing portions of said fabric layers, saidfabric layers each including a longitudinally extending outer edge,

a sewn seam extending generally parallel to said edges of said fabriclayers and defining on each of said fabric layers an edge portionextending between said seam and said outer edge, and

a main portion extending on a side of said seam opposite said edgeportion,

said apparatus comprising, in combination,

first guide means configured to dispose said main portions in a coplanarrelationship relative to each other, with each of said main portionsextending away from said seam in opposite directions, second guide meansconfigured to dispose said edge portions in a coplanar relationshiprelative to each other, with each of said edge portions extending awayfrom said seam in opposite directions and with the edge portion of eachof said fabric layers overlapping the respective main portion of itscorresponding fabric layer,

means for supplying moisture to said edge portions and said mainportions along said seam, and means for pressing said edge portionsagainst said main portions along said seam while simultaneously applyingheat thereto, said pressing means being located relative to said firstand second guide means to press and apply heat thereto after said mainportions and said edge portions have been disposed in said coplanarrelationships.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressing and heatingmeans include at least one heated roller rotatable in synchronism withmovement of said fabric layers, means defining a surface disposedopposite said roller and adapted to have said fabric layerspassed-between said defined surface and said roller, with said mainportions of said fabric layers being supported 'in coplanar relationshipagainst said surface, and means for biasing said roller toward saidsurface to press said coplanar edge portions of said fabric layersagainst said coplanar main portions thereof.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said moisture supplying meansincludes means for directing a jet of steam onto said fabric layersimmediately upstream of said roller, said apparatus further comprisingsuction box means including walls, said suction box means configured tohave said surface formed by one wall thereof, said one wall beingperforated, said suction box means including means for drawing moisturecontaining air from said fabric layers into said suction box means, saidsuction box means being structured to extend from said one wall wherebysaid main portions of said pair of fabric layers may extend overopposite sides thereof.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first guide meanscomprises a plate extending from said suction box means in a directionto have said seam pass generally parallel thereto, said plate beinglocated to have said main portions of said fabric layers pass onopposite sides thereof, and a pair of inclined walls extending betweensaid plate and said suction box means in a generally divergingrelationship to separate said main portions and to direct said mainportions toward said coplanar relationship.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second guide meanscomprises plate means located to have said edge portions of said fabriclayers extend on opposite sides thereof, and wall means extending alongsaid plate means and disposed relative thereto with a configurationcausing divergence of said edge portions from said plate means such thatsaid edge portions are directed into a substantially coplanarrelationship immediately before the location of said pressing means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2 including heat transmitting meanshaving said roller supported thereon, and electrical heat generatingmeans mounted on said heat transmitting means, said heat transmittingmeans being configured to transmit the heat generated by said heatingmeans to said roller.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 including movable support means havingsaid roller and said heat transmitting means mounted thereon, saidmovable support means including elongated arms, a stationary structurehaving said arms movably guided therein, said elongated arms beingmovable relative to said stationary.

structure to control movement of said roller relative to said fabriclayers.

1. A seam flattener apparatus for directing a pair of fabric layers pastan ironing station and for ironing portions of said fabric layers, saidfabric layers each including a longitudinally extending outer edge, asewn seam extending generally parallel to said edges of said fabriclayers and defining on each of said fabric layers an edge portionextending between said seam and said outer edge, and a main portionextending on a side of said seam opposite said edge portion, saidapparatus comprising, in combination, first guide means configured todispose said main portions in a coplanar relationship relative to eachother, with each of said main portions extending away from said seam inopposite directions, second guide means configured to dispose said edgeportions in a coplanar relationship relative to each other, with each ofsaid edge portions extending away from said seam in opposite directionsand with the edge portion of each of said fabric layers overlapping therespective main portion of its corresponding fabric layer, means forsupplying moisture to said edge portions and said main portions alongsaid seam, and means for pressing said edge portions against said mainportions along said seam while simultaneously applying heat thereto,said pressing means being located relative to said first and secondguide means to press and apply heat thereto after said main portions andsaid edge portions have been disposed in said coplanar relationships. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressing and heating meansinclude at least one heated roller rotatable in synchronism withmovement of said fabric layers, means defining a surface disposedopposite said roller and adapted To have said fabric layers passedbetween said defined surface and said roller, with said main portions ofsaid fabric layers being supported in coplanar relationship against saidsurface, and means for biasing said roller toward said surface to presssaid coplanar edge portions of said fabric layers against said coplanarmain portions thereof.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidmoisture supplying means includes means for directing a jet of steamonto said fabric layers immediately upstream of said roller, saidapparatus further comprising suction box means including walls, saidsuction box means configured to have said surface formed by one wallthereof, said one wall being perforated, said suction box meansincluding means for drawing moisture containing air from said fabriclayers into said suction box means, said suction box means beingstructured to extend from said one wall whereby said main portions ofsaid pair of fabric layers may extend over opposite sides thereof. 4.Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first guide means comprisesa plate extending from said suction box means in a direction to havesaid seam pass generally parallel thereto, said plate being located tohave said main portions of said fabric layers pass on opposite sidesthereof, and a pair of inclined walls extending between said plate andsaid suction box means in a generally diverging relationship to separatesaid main portions and to direct said main portions toward said coplanarrelationship.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said secondguide means comprises plate means located to have said edge portions ofsaid fabric layers extend on opposite sides thereof, and wall meansextending along said plate means and disposed relative thereto with aconfiguration causing divergence of said edge portions from said platemeans such that said edge portions are directed into a substantiallycoplanar relationship immediately before the location of said pressingmeans.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 2 including heat transmittingmeans having said roller supported thereon, and electrical heatgenerating means mounted on said heat transmitting means, said heattransmitting means being configured to transmit the heat generated bysaid heating means to said roller.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6including movable support means having said roller and said heattransmitting means mounted thereon, said movable support means includingelongated arms, a stationary structure having said arms movably guidedtherein, said elongated arms being movable relative to said stationarystructure to control movement of said roller relative to said fabriclayers.